Second Lieutenant Donald Henry Ferguson, born 15 Aug 1920, was the son of Franklin Alexander Ferguson and Alvina (Pool) Ferguson of Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Westfield is on the west side of Springfield, MA.
In the 1930 census 9-year-old Donald is living with his parents and brothers Frank Jr 12, and Robert 10, at 118 W Silver Street in Westfield. His father works for a boiler foundry company.
In the 1940 census 19-year-old Donald is living with his parents and brother Robert 20, still at 118 W Silver in Westfield. His father is the superintendent at the foundry. Donald is a student at American International College in Springfield.
Lt Ferguson was pilot of B-17 42-31348 “Swing Shift Baby II” flying out of Deopham Green, Norfolk, 98 miles northeast of London. On a mission to Hamburg, 31 Dec 1944, Swing Shift Baby II was hit by Flak, went into a spin, broke up in flames and crashed at Rhade, Germany, 45 miles west southwest of Hamburg. Lt Ferguson was able to bail out of the plane. According to one of the gunners from the plane, Lt Ferguson was captured and hung by German civilians. Five other crewmembers were captured and became POWs.
The NARA WWII casualty listings by state and county for Massachusetts show Ferguson, Donald H, 2 Lt from Hampden County as FOD (Finding of Death). A finding of death was established at least one year and one day after a soldier, sailor, or airman went missing in action. His body was recovered later.
A cenotaph in memory of Lt Ferguson was added to his parent’s headstone at the Pinehill Cemetery in Westfield. The cenotaph says he was missing in action over Hamburg.

Second Lieutenant Donald Henry Ferguson, born 15 Aug 1920, was the son of Franklin Alexander Ferguson and Alvina (Pool) Ferguson of Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Westfield is on the west side of Springfield, MA.
In the 1930 census 9-year-old Donald is living with his parents and brothers Frank Jr 12, and Robert 10, at 118 W Silver Street in Westfield. His father works for a boiler foundry company.
In the 1940 census 19-year-old Donald is living with his parents and brother Robert 20, still at 118 W Silver in Westfield. His father is the superintendent at the foundry. Donald is a student at American International College in Springfield.
Lt Ferguson was pilot of B-17 42-31348 “Swing Shift Baby II” flying out of Deopham Green, Norfolk, 98 miles northeast of London. On a mission to Hamburg, 31 Dec 1944, Swing Shift Baby II was hit by Flak, went into a spin, broke up in flames and crashed at Rhade, Germany, 45 miles west southwest of Hamburg. Lt Ferguson was able to bail out of the plane. According to one of the gunners from the plane, Lt Ferguson was captured and hung by German civilians. Five other crewmembers were captured and became POWs.
The NARA WWII casualty listings by state and county for Massachusetts show Ferguson, Donald H, 2 Lt from Hampden County as FOD (Finding of Death). A finding of death was established at least one year and one day after a soldier, sailor, or airman went missing in action. His body was recovered later.
A cenotaph in memory of Lt Ferguson was added to his parent’s headstone at the Pinehill Cemetery in Westfield. The cenotaph says he was missing in action over Hamburg.